Transforming Australia’s Bega Valley into a circular economy | Barry Irvin | TEDxSydney
The Bega Valley, on Australia’s NSW south coast, is committed to becoming a model of circularity as proof of concept to share with the world. In this inspiring talk, Barry Irvin shares Bega’s circular economy journey and the surprising social benefits that flow from end-to-end investment in a regional community. Barry Irvin is Executive Chairman of the Bega Group, one of Australia's largest dairy and food companies with revenues exceeding $3 billion. Bega Group supplies both the Australian and international markets with a product portfolio that ranges from dairy ingredients to a number of Australia's most iconic brands including Vegemite, Farmers Union, Dare, Dairy Farmers and Daily Juice.Bega Group began as a co-operative based in a small regional community and largely produced Cheese products for the Australian market. Since deregulation of the Australian Dairy industry Bega Group has grown to include 20 manufacturing sites across the country, operate Australia's largest chilled distribution network and service customers in Australia and more than 40 countries around the world. Bega Group is an ASX listed company with shareholders ranging from retail investors (including many of the original dairy farming families) and large institutional investors.Barry grew up on his family dairy farm which his son Andrew now operates, Andrew is the sixth generation to farm in the Bega Valley. The long history with farming has meant that Barry has had a particular interest in sustainable agricultural production and championed a number of environmentally focused projects. Most recently Barry has led the establishment of a Regional Circularity Co-operative with the ambition of making the Bega Valley the most circular region in the world.Barry has always believed in giving back to the community and is the long-term Chairman of Giant Steps Australia an organisation that provides services to children and adults with autism. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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